On Wednesday, Williams read a copy of the treasured letter, joking that the original was in a locked vault in her office. "There is only happiness for Gayle and this wonderful opportunity," the letter said. The letter was signed, "Love, Oprah" and Williams added her own post-script: "Stay black."

It was truly an exciting moment for the talk show host, who gushed over the former daytime diva and had already gotten teary-eyed over the applause from her audience earlier in the morning.